topic Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops? in Selling

Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

bjmonty28 — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 02:48:48 GMT

I am aware you can only buy the flat rate satchels from the auspost store on eBay and not in aus post shops (I have asked in the post office shops over the past few days only to be rudely told that they have never heard of flat rate satchels or boxes!!!).

Looking at the flat rate boxes that the auspoststore ebay shop have, they look exactly like the post office boxes, i am presuming they have a different code on the back that you enter into the Click and Send system?

Is it true you can only buy the flat rate boxes on eBay just like the satchels?

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

curraone — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 03:05:41 GMT

At my PO in Gympie, it is perfectly possible to buy B1 B2 and B4 boxes individually.

The only reason I don't is that if I buy 20 from Aust Post online site, they deliver them for free! Much better than trying to cart them home, and you get a discount.

And they are all the exact same boxes.

Change your PO

And it is much cheaper to use the ebay labels with the flat rates with them, rather than Aust Post Click and Send site.

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

curraone — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 03:13:36 GMT

***So I would have to change my first sentence to "I have bought them in the past", I don't know if you can now because I haven't tried this year.

http://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/packaging-options.html?ilink=mm-packaging-options-1

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

bjmonty28 — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 03:19:55 GMT

Hi CurraOne, Thanks for your help. I should just stick to buying them online i guess, just in case the ones in the AP shop do not work with the eBay print label service that you recommend using. its just that i only wanted a couple of each and to buy them online its going to cost me $110.

So is it really a lot cheaper to use the eBay print label service in the eBay page rather than using Click and Send service?

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

curraone — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 03:27:01 GMT

Truly, if you can get to another PO you should ask again about the B1 B2 B4 boxes, I am sure you can buy them one at a time, otherwise why would they have individual prices? No need to mention "flat rate" to the PO staff, they only get confused 🙂 And they are definately the same boxes.

As to prices, using the ebay label system; I have an old memo here that may help you compare. Be aware that PO is putting prices up in March and hopefully ebay isn't.

NEW POSTAGE AS AT 8 May 2014

Must buy at least 10 satchels/20 boxes online at a time

METHOD	BUY AT PO (1 at a time)	EBAY ONLINE	CLICK AND SEND ONLINE
500g parcel	7.20	7.20?	7.20
500g satchel	8.25	7.15 + 15c = $7.30	8.25
3 kg satchel	13.40	11.70 + 21c = $11.91	13.40
1 kg box Bx1		7.15 + 1.38 = $8.53	14.48
5 kg satchel	16.70	-	16.70
3 kg box Bx2		11.70 + 1.75 = $13.45	17.15
5 kg box Bx4		15.05 + 2.40 = $17.45	-
Express 500g	10.55
Express 3kg	14.80
Express 5 kg	23.60

LETTERS
Prepaid 500g	1.46
125g	1.40
250g	2.10
500g	3.50

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

bjmonty28 — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 04:44:20 GMT

Wow, that sure is some handy info, thanks !
I will get a couple Boxes from the post office.
Thanks so much 🙂

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

*stuff*books* — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 05:23:18 GMT

@bjmonty28 wrote:
Hi CurraOne, Thanks for your help. I should just stick to buying them online i guess, just in case the ones in the AP shop do not work with the eBay print label service that you recommend using. its just that i only wanted a couple of each and to buy them online its going to cost me $110.

So is it really a lot cheaper to use the eBay print label service in the eBay page rather than using Click and Send service?

The B1,B2 and B4 boxes that Aus post have are the same thing that's used for the eBay postage.

In the listing you can select and use the Aus Post box with standard postage or eBay B? box with signature,(just remember to untick

the signature part if not required when printing the label as it's their sneaky way of trying to make you pay more).

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

cherry*135 — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 08:24:34 GMT

The AP boxes bought from the PO each size has the same code on them, as any AP ones bought online.

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

boxofficefilms — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 09:48:54 GMT

Hi I buy nearly all my packaging cardboard envelopes and boxs from ebpack on ebay usually a lot cheaper than australia post (I pay less than a quarter of my old aust post costs for tough envelopes) especailly if you buy larger quantities then just use ebay mailing label for packages or normal stamps for smaller envelopes. They have equivalents for amost all Australia post packaging.

There store link is

http://stores.ebay.com.au/ebpack/

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

i-love-my-sheep — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 12:49:02 GMT

@boxofficefilms wrote:
Hi I buy nearly all my packaging cardboard envelopes and boxs from ebpack on ebay usually a lot cheaper than australia post (I pay less than a quarter of my old aust post costs for tough envelopes) especailly if you buy larger quantities then just use ebay mailing label for packages or normal stamps for smaller envelopes. They have equivalents for amost all Australia post packaging.

There store link is

http://stores.ebay.com.au/ebpack/

I get my 00 180 x 100mm padded bubble mailers from them and they are great. I've bought 2 boxes of 200 now and both times they posted within an hour of payment. The tracking number was uploaded and the email option was selected, so I was getting email updates every step of the way. The first one was here overnight and the second took 2 days. The mailers are good quality and I can't fault their service......or their price. I did a LOT of looking around when I was looking to buy them the first time and they were by far the cheapest.

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

curraone — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 20:51:30 GMT

@boxofficefilms wrote:
Hi I buy nearly all my packaging cardboard envelopes and boxs from ebpack on ebay usually a lot cheaper than australia post (I pay less than a quarter of my old aust post costs for tough envelopes) especailly if you buy larger quantities then just use ebay mailing label for packages or normal stamps for smaller envelopes. They have equivalents for amost all Australia post packaging.

There store link is

http://stores.ebay.com.au/ebpack/

The original post is about FLAT RATE parcel rates; to be eligible for the discounted flat rates you must use the Australia Post B1, B2 or B4 boxes - so it doesn't matter how much cheaper you can buy boxes anywhere else.

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

boxofficefilms — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 23:39:28 GMT

curraone

I was referring to using the ebay prepaid postage label system (which is either cheaper or the same price) refer

http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/pay/printing-labels.html

"Tips:

You can use your own packaging, or buy eBay Australia Post flat rate satchels or boxes from Australia Post's eBay Store."

The dimensions of the box or sachel must not exceed those specified for the label type but you can easily buy the same dimension boxes from other providors.

Whilst I havent bought flat rate parcel post direct from a Post Office I see no reason why a plain box of the same dimensions would not be the same rate as if you buy an Australia post brand box (the box itself is irrelevant just the weight and dimensions) as normally you buy the postage label separately to the box.

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

bjmonty28 — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 04:03:25 GMT

Thats some pretty handy info.

Im not sure i like this part with eBay label printing...

Payment is simple - When you create a label, we'll add the fees for postage to your eBay monthly invoice.

With the business i manage i think i will continue with setting up our C&S as it allows us to use our AP business account for payment plus we get the 10% discount. And it is the express post option we are wanting to start using the expres post flat rate 500g and 3kg stachels (do they offer express post flat rate boxes also?).....

Sending 250 or more parcels per annum?

Become a Business 250 member to save up to 10% on selected postage products*

Although im not sure why the C&S website is still showing this...

Australia Post / eBay flat rate products are no longer be available for use on Click and Send.

It is on the C&S home page when you click the words Important updates for eBay sellers. Find out more

Re: Can you buy eBay Flat Rate boxes at Aus Post shops?

curraone — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 04:56:17 GMT

Whilst I havent bought flat rate parcel post direct from a Post Office I see no reason why a plain box of the same dimensions would not be the same rate as if you buy an Australia post brand box (the box itself is irrelevant just the weight and dimensions) as normally you buy the postage label separately to the box.

I think we are getting confused here. The flat rate postage refers to the special rate for a B1, B2 or B4 box sent by either ebay postage labels or using click and send. This means for example, if you use a B1 box and print an ebay label using the B1 flat rate you can post your item anywhere in Australia for the same rate i.e. $7.15 - even from Qld to Tas. To obain this special flat rate, the only stipulation Aust Post has is that you must use their B1 box - not one from ebpackaging or anywhere else. It is in their terms and conditions.

And we have already found out from the OP it is a mistake to ask for a "flat rate parcel post box" from any PO, they won't know what you are talking about. You buy a B1 B2 or B4 box.